When transporting artworks or other materials overseas, you need to pay attention to the regulations and quarantine systems of destination countries. Australia, for example, has a strict quarantine system to protect its ecosystem and agriculture, requiring particular caution with regard to such items as wood, plant-based materials, and products with soil remaining on them. Also, in other countries as well as Australia, under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), importing works that use animal fur, tusks, and other animal-derived materials may be impossible, and shipping procedures may be complicated.

The import/export procedures for shipping artworks are normally handled by specialized agents, and you can leave the details in their hands for the most part. However, arming yourself with basic knowledge of the destination country’s regulations and quarantine systems beforehand would help you to consider alternatives and avoid risks at the initial stage of artwork and exhibition planning, ultimately leading to smoother project management.